FA Cup – the first round

This weekend sees the Stones play League One side Rochdale in the first round of the Emirates FA Cup.

It’s the third season in a row that the club have made it to this stage of the competition.

Ahead of Sunday’s game, here’s a reminder of the previous first round matches.

2014/15 season

Maidstone’s 2014/15 FA Cup campaign is one that will live long in the memory.

The Stones reward for beating Welling United was an away tie against Stevenage. On a Sunday afternoon, 1,400 fans travelled to Hertfordshire to witness an immense performance from Jay Saunders’ side, which saw them hold the League Two outfit to a goalless draw.

The two sides met again at the Gallagher Stadium – the first FA Cup game on 3G in the proper rounds of the competition. Moved to a Thursday night, the game was shown live on BT Sport.

In front of a capacity crowd and many more watching at home, a dramatic winner from Frannie Collin, just two minutes from time, set the Stones on the road to Wrexham in round two.

2015/16 season

Last season served up league opposition in the first round but there was to be no repeat of the previous campaign’s success. League Two Yeovil Town returned to Somerset with a place in round two after a narrow 1-0 victory.

The Stones arguably deserved to at least take this tie to a replay and in the last ten minutes of the game they hit the post and had a goal disallowed.

But ultimately a well organised Yeovil side, who allowed Maidstone as little time on the ball as possible, survived having to play with nine men as they took their only chance that fell to Wes Fogden ten minutes into the second half.

Maidstone United vs. Rochdale is at the Gallagher Stadium this Sunday (6 November)

Gates open at 11:30, ahead of kick off at 14:00

It’s an all-pay fixture and tickets will be available on the turnstiles